Amid an eclectic mix of the most prodigiously talented junior surfers the world has ever seen stands 16-year-old Hawaiian Keanu Asing. With his mix of power, finesse, and progression, Keanu is the tip of the spear and is comfortably perched at the threshold of surfing’s next big talent boom, ready to lay waste to the old standard and usher himself and his counterparts into surfing’s history. Forget the Momentum Generation and their ilk because what Keanu and his cohorts will bring to the game will out shadow anything we’ve ever seen.

Earlier today, Keanu added yet another notch in his belt as he claimed the Nike Pier Pressure Grade-4 event at Huntington Beach in the most lackluster of conditions.

Following his win monumental win, we sat down with Keanu who, despite having been on an unparalleled winning binge this year, remained his humble self.

You’re having a pretty ridiculous year so far. It seems like you’ve won just about every major event you’ve entered. Now with this win scratched off your list, you’re officially scaring your competition. Can you talk a little bit about your win today in Huntington?

Keanu Asing: [laughs] Yeah, it’s been a really good year for me so far. The conditions today for the contest were pretty much horrible. It was tough and it was barely breaking out there, but I got a couple of scores.

How was the competition for your final?

K.A.: The guys I surfed against were so good. They’re all so talented and are such good surfers. It was tough out there for sure. Those guys are just really, really good and I’m glad I won.

Can you talk about the board you rode for the final?

Yeah, for sure. I was actually riding the same board that I won on in Ecuador for the World Games. I think it’s safe to say that it’s a magic board.

You’ve won your fair share of contests this year. Do you ever get used to the feeling of winning and being carried up the beach?

K.A.: No, not really. At least I don’t. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that feeling…having your friends carry you up the beach. I mean, today, after I won, Rainos [Hayes] Matty [Costa] and Zeke all carried me up the beach. It’s just a great experience.

So what’s next for you?

Well, first we’re gonna go eat some pizza at a place in Newport and then we’re gonna go check out some Go-Karts…I’m pretty psyched.


Ed note: In the past year or so, Keanu Asing has won the following events:


NSSA National Championships, July 2008, Lower Trestles CA, Explorer Boys National Champion

Billabong Pro Junior, August 2008, Canguu, Bali, Event Champion

USA Championships, August 2008, Huntington Beach, CA, Boys Under 16 Champion

USA Championships, August 2008, Huntington Beach, CA, Boys Under 18 Champion

Haleiwa International Open, January 2009, Winner and 3x Defending Champion

NSSA Hawaii Contest, March 2009, Haleiwa, HI, Triple Victory: 1st Place in Open
Men’s, Open Jrs, and Explorer Juniors

NSSA Hawaii Regional Championships, March 2009, Kewalo Basin, HI, Double Victory: 1st Place in Open Men’s and Open JuniorsNSSA Hawaii Conference Champion, Open Juniors

ISA World Surfing Championships, April 2009, Ecuador, World Champion in Boys 16 & Under

Nike Pier Pressure Grade 4, June, 2009, event champ